Skip advert
Advertisement

Porsche Cayenne (2004-2009) review

The Cayenne is fast and nimble, but vastly expensive.

Overall Auto Express rating

2.0

How we review cars
RRP
£78,155 £108,255
Find your Porsche Cayenne
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Driving
The mighty Porsche boasts superb handling for an off-roader. Despite its size and weight, the Cayenne corners superbly, generating amazing levels of grip and tackling twisty roads at hot hatch speeds. This is only enhanced with the optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control and Porsche Active Suspension Management systems; they give the steering even more feedback and make the SUV yet more nimble, while also improving a ride quality that, in pre-facelift-guise, was jarring. Direct-injection petrol engines are very fast, particularly the astonishing V8 twin-turbo, which dashes to 60mph in 5 seconds, and can hit 170mph.

Marketplace
It’s the car the green lobby love to hate – but that didn’t stop the second-generation Cayenne arriving in the UK. Cosmetic tweaks to the headlights and front airdams still made it far from handsome; the key change was to the 3.6-litre V6 and 4.8-litre turbo and non-turbo petrol engines, which all gained direct fuel injection to boost efficiency by up to 15 per cent. The line-up of V6, S and Turbo variants was joined in 2007 by a sub-Turbo GTS model, set apart by larger front air intakes, fatter wheelarches, 21-inch wheels and a lower ride height. Key rivals include the Range Rover Sport, BMW X6, Mercedes M 63 AMG and high-performance versions of the Audi Q7.

Owning
Interior quality received a welcome boost when the Cayenne was facelifted. The layout is user-friendly, but it’s not that large or versatile, despite a decent 540-litre boot that extends to 1,770 litres with the seats folded. A vast array of options is available, including some superb figure-hugging seats, which are fitted as standard to the sporty GTS. However, despite the claimed efficiency improvements, it’s unlikely the climate change lobby is going to embrace the Cayenne. Even the entry-level V6 only returns 21.9mpg, and puts out 310g/km of CO2. The Turbo achieves 19mpg and emits 358g/km of CO2. In reality, economy can easily drop into single figures. The Cayenne also isn’t cheap to buy: the V6’s entry price looks tempting, but essential options soon push it up, while the Turbo costs £75,000! Retained values, while good, also don’t quite hit Porsche’s usual lofty standards. Servicing and maintenance costs are high as well.

Engines, performance and drive

0

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

0

Interior, design and technology

0

Practicality, comfort and boot space

0

Reliability and Safety

0
Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    5dr Tiptronic S
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £78,155
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    5dr Tiptronic S
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £78,155
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    GTS 5dr Tiptronic S
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £108,255
Select car

New & used car deals

Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne

RRP £50,745Used from £33,995
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £13,895
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £12,800
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,075 off RRP*Used from £14,448
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering
Opinion - Shanghai Auto Show

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering

This new brand of cars might have battery tech on their side, but European buyers want much more than that
Opinion
25 Apr 2025
New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK
Tesla Model X on two-post inspection ramp

New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK

New technology and driver assistance systems require changes to annual testing, says EC
News
25 Apr 2025
Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible
Opinion - £10k used cars

Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible

Phil McNamara discovers that it’s harder than ever to find a good-value car at the affordable end of the market
Opinion
24 Apr 2025